WCPP appoints new Secretary

The Western Cape Provincial Parliament appointed Ms Hamida Fakira as its new Secretary and Accounting Officer with effect from February 2015. Ms Fakira served as a Deputy Director General in the public sector for the past 10 years in the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Transport and, most recently, as advisor in the Ministry of Transport.

Having qualified as an electrical engineer some 25 years ago, Ms Fakira now holds a master’s degree in engineering management and is currently working towards a PhD in physics.  Ms Fakira’s extensive experience in respect of financial management, research and policy development, strategic planning, performance management and stakeholder management will serve her well in this demanding position.

Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Sharna Fernandez, says: “We are very pleased to have Ms Fakira joining the team. This is a very demanding role and our expectations are high, however, she can rest assured of our full support.”

While excited by her new position, Ms Fakira is aware of the challenges: “While I am new to this sector, I am anxious to get settled in and fully invested as soon as possible. I am aware of some of the challenges facing the institution, not least of which those posed by both our limited financial and human resources. One of my goals for the next year will be to meet the Speaker’s ideals of an institution that is leaner and meaner, and that works smarter and faster.”

Ms Fakira takes up the position of Secretary from Mr Royston Hindley who was seconded to the post from his position as Deputy Secretary: Corporate Services after the resignation of Mr Peter Williams at the end of 2010. Mr Hindley returns to his duties as Deputy Secretary.